Four-Timer For Form Man Fujii at Busan

Joe Fujii was on top form at Busan this afternoon, taking 4 winners on a day when the entire on-track foreign contingent scored victories.

Four-timer : Joe Fujii

Fujii’s winners came in race 4 on Sinheung Gangpung (Yankee Victor) followed by race 6 on First Touch (Volponi).

He completed his treble in race 7 on Miss Quick (Menifee) and wrapped things up with his fourth in race 9 on Yeonseung Gangho (Simon Pure).

It was the Japanese rider’s biggest one-day haul since arriving in Busan in May last year and takes him to 54 winners in all. 24 of these have come in 2013 and he now lies in 3rd in the Jockey Championship.

Fujii’s stint in Korea has been so far – controversial 9-day ban for a slow start aside – a great success including winning the nation’s most prestigious race, the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul last December.

He studied Korean racing in detail before arriving on the peninsula and his committed approach continues to win admirers. Just the previous evening, Briton Darryll Holland, who began riding at Busan in March had been praising the 30 year-old Fujii through Twitter:

I predict a big future for @joefujii1 he can make a horse run fast. We will see him in the Uk!

Holland himself was in the winner’s circle today although not necessarily in the manner he would have liked, dead-heating in the feature race on hot favourite Amell’s Atom (Menifee) with 2nd favourite Sand World (Star Dabbler). Amell’s Atom gave Peter Wolsley his 3rd success of the day, following up wins in race 1 with Strong Rain (Turbulent Storm) and race 8 with Heukdancer (Vicar).

To complete a good day for the foreigners on the south coast, Fujii’s countryman Ureshi Katsunori also grabbed a winner, taking race 3 on Plein Soleil (Exploit).